Joel O'Dell's Top Fifteen list of things that bring him joy!!!
(We've got you beat, David Letterman)

15. When a local calls me father or daddy. In Jamaica, this is a sign of respect.
14. Getting swarmed by the all the kids at the Nest when I come.
13. Having enough energy at night when I get home to play with my own kids!!!
12. Finding something I am looking for because it was put back where it belongs!
11. Sabbath days of refreshing the spirit at church followed by the beach.
10. Looking at God’s beautiful creation…this is a beautiful country.
 9. Letting God be in control, seeing what He can do, and seeing prayers answered.
 8. Seeing the JOY on the face of a young boy as he counts down the days before
     he gets to join his new family…We love you Peter…God bless you long time!
 7. RAIN and not having to buy water.
 6. Hearing from stateside funds are coming in for the Nest.
 5. Watching my wife heal and feel better every day. 
 4. Getting a good night sleep.
 3. Talking to people about where I am from.
 2. Having Angie’s family come to visit this month.
And the number one JOY item:
 1. 0% chance of SNOW

CHILDREN ADOPTED OR BEING ADOPTED FROM THE NEST

In this Christmas newsletter,
we’d like to share the stories
of a few children that have
left the “Nest” or will be soon. 
We praise God for this,
all glory to Him alone!

MARTIKA JOY

Martika is in kindergarten this year.  She's enjoying soaking up reading and writing skills and math, too.  She has had six visits from the tooth fairy already and we're sure she will have her two new front teeth for Christmas!  We've counted and Martika has over 40 cousins in her new extended family.  She's a JOY - just like her middle name.  It was hard waiting all those years for her adoption to be processed, but we're excited to have her as part of our family - celebrating her second year with us.

NOAH

Noah is almost 6 years old and doing great.  He is now walking with crutches (sticks) and is working on getting faster and can go about 40 yards before he gets tired.   He will need back bracing coming up in February which will limit some of his mobility, but in the long run will help him.  Noah has really settled in as a permanent part of our family.  His 3 older brothers really watch out for him and love to read and play with him.  He is now a Vikings fan and loves to watch anytime football is on.  Keith & Beth

NIA

Nia is in second grade.  Nia and her classmates are enjoying the fall term where in addition to studying math, reading and spelling, they have had the opportunity to study Central Park and made a number of field trips.  Continuing her love of the water which began as a toddler at the Robin's Nest pool and Sunday afternoon trips to Doctor's Cave beach, Nia is quickly moving up the swimming levels at the local YMCA.  She also began cello lessons this year which she enjoys very much.  Nia wishes Miss Michelle and the children, staff and friends of Robin's Nest a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Health New Year!

PETER

Noah’s parents also now have the adoption license for Peter!   We were down to Kingston with Peter in November to submit all the paperwork and will hopefully get his Visa physical and Visa interview appointment set up any day now.   It was great to be able to spend 4 days with Peter and get to know him and for him to get to know us.   It would be great to get him home for Christmas, but we know it is all in God's timing so we continue to trust in Him.  
Merry Christmas! Keith & Beth

TIMAR
 

Timar just turned 9 and this school year is going better than last as he adjusts better to life in America.  He loves to read, even 600 page books.  He enjoys going to Good News Club at school.  He plays football (got his first trophy as you can see) and is an avid fan of all sports, especially basketball.  He is a dear grandson.  We just had a baking and cleaning night and he baked a pan of bars all by himself.  - Grandma Mary Ann

We met Akiem for the first time about April 2007. He was a cutie, and I can still hear him with his thick Jamaican accent asking what was that as he pointed to a helicopter on the new pjs I had brought for him.  The moment when he stole my heart was when he received a tray of animal crackers from one of the ladies in the kitchen, and he brought it outside and handed it around before he ever claimed his own. I love his servant's heart.  
    His younger sister (by 2 days), is the messiest little girl ever, and he is constantly offering to help her clean up...even after she tells him he needs to get out, 'cause "this is a girl's room, and NO BOYS ALLOWED!"  This is usually when she wants to watch a princess movie and he always suggests Spiderman or Scooby-Doo...  
    Akiem fits into our family as if he was born into it.  Our adoption process took just shy of 2 years, and a lot of calls, trips to visit... Our 7 year old son passed away December 26th, 2008, and we went to Jamaica a couple weeks later just to get away.  We got a call barely a week after on January 26th, 2009 that he was ready to go to court.  On January 28th, 2009, He was ours. 
    October 8th, 2009, we left Jamaica for the first time as a family. It had taken about 8 months for his immigration documents to be processed. We had been staying in a house we had purchased intending at some point to return to Jamaica permanently.  
    Within two months, Akiem visited, or passed through about 12 states. It was so much fun to see the wonder of this country through his eyes. There is never a dull moment with 2 five year olds, in a homeschooling family!

SHEILA

Sheila has been doing great!  She is currently 8 years old and in third grade!  She’s doing well in school and is just a joy to be around!  It is clear she was indeed the missing puzzle piece in our family. She and her brother get along nicely most days, and the other days they are just like any other siblings – pushing each other’s buttons!  They are very protective of one another though, which is nice to see.   Soccer is Sheila’s sport of choice with goalie being her favorite position!     Sheila sings in the kid’s choir and participates in WOW (Worship on Wednesdays) at church.  She spends most of the rest of her time trying to convince us to get a dog.  I think she’s checked out every book in the school library about dogs, caring for dogs, choosing a dog, etc.  Right now she is content with the “multitude” of stuffed animal dogs in her room.   We love our little girl with all our hearts and are so thankful to Michelle and the staff for giving her such great care and a chance!  God is good and knew what he was doing when he placed Sheila in their care!   Mike, Erika, Ray & Sheila

JUST ANOTHER LEG ON AARON’S JOURNEY

Aaron's last 12 months have been uneventful medically - praise God.  He has grown taller and gained weight so has moved up a size in clothes.  The doctor feels he has reached or is near the end of his growth cycle so is about 50 lb and 49 inches.  He will possibly gain a little more weight or grow another inch but Aaron will always be "our little man".  In school they are working on making Aaron as independent as he can be.  With some coaxing and a lot of persistent Aaron can kneel in front of his wheel chair, stand himself up, turn around and push himself into the seat.  He knows when they say "wheels" at school; he tries to push on the wheels to make it go.  He has not yet accomplished the propulsion part of it but when he does, lookout world.  Aaron is much more responsive, acknowledging people when they enter the room with a look their way, sometimes a smile and giggle.  He loves being with the other kids and when seeing them away from school enjoys all the "Hi Aaron" greetings they give him.  He's almost always happy and is a true joy to have in our lives.  God's blessings to you this Christmas season and may you be blessed as much as we have been blessed. 

ZOE

We are still in the waiting process.  We have been blessed to have been able to visit Zoe on 3 different occasions this year.  Our last trip with Zoe was by far the best trip we have had with her and we realized how much our previous trips have helped Zoe bond with us. We will always be grateful for the amazing work that Michelle and others did with Zoe when she arrived at the Nest with the severe attachment trauma she had suffered. Seeing where Zoe is at today is truly a miracle. 

“… Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” - Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)

    We miss her more and more every day and being "closer" to the end only makes the waiting that much more difficult.  I cannot lie and say that it has been easy, but the Lord has sustained us and we know we can persevere through whatever comes our way.  Thanks for your continued support and prayer, Ryan and Mikyla.  

Wheelchair IAN’s Adoption Story

 After 1 ½ years of waiting and doing a lot of paper work, our Ian is now at home and getting a taste of winter.     “Wheelchair Ian” is now 9 but still very much the same boy with cerebral palsy who possesses a sweet spirit and captivating smile that defies his physical condition.  He was placed at Robin’s Nest when he was 18-months old.  As we got to know Ian, we saw that God had planted an amazing spirit into this physically challenged.  Ian came home on September 12.  Ian has adapted very well.  His sweet spirit continues and his smile melts all those he encounters.  We continue to be amazed at how God has blessed us and others through Ian.  His spirit, despite his physical handicap, is never dampened.  By allowing God to change our plans and our lives we could reach out to a young boy who did not choose cerebral palsy.  Will Ian ever walk?  Will he ever talk?  We have no idea, but we trust God that we have done the right thing for us and for Ian.  Who knows what He has in store for us next?!?! - Tom & Angela